African Film Festival
The 1991 first feature of Julie Dash, set in the islands along the south Atlantic coast of the U.S. around the turn of the century. A group of black women carrying on ancient African traditions and beliefs as part of an extended family preparing to migrate north confront the issue of what to bring with them and what to leave behind. Lyrically distended in its folkloric meditations, with striking use of slow and slurred motion in certain interludes, this doesn’t make much use of drama or narrative, and the musical score and performances occasionally seem at war with the period ambience. But the resources of the beautiful locations are exploited to the utmost, and Dash can be credited with an original, daring, and sincere conception. With Cora Lee Day, Alva Rogers, Adisa Anderson, Kaycee Moore, and Barbara-O. (JR) (Ferguson Theater, 11:00 am)
These Hands
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
Flora M’mbugu-Schelling’s 1992 documentary from Tanzania, about a woman breaking rocks in a quarry. On the same program, Reminiscences, a 1988 film by Alice E. Stephens, who will attend the screening. (Ferguson Theater, 6:00)
Bridgit Davis directed this 1996 independent feature, in which a 27-year-old loses 57 pounds and is then cast in a nude scene. On the same program, Virginia Bailey’s 1992 short Robert and Rande; Bailey will attend the screening. (Hokin Hall, 7:45)
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
How U Like Me Now
